Two Maoists gunned down in Chhattisgarh

Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), July 23: Two senior hardcore Maoists were shot dead after a gunfight in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Saturday morning, police said.

Inspector General of Police, Bastar, S.R.P. Kalluri and Sukma Superintent of Police I.K. Alesala said that a police patrol led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Harish Yadav had left Konta police station when it came under fire from hiding Maoists in a forested area near Gangraj Parh village.

Police retaliated and the gunfight lasted for nearly a hour before rebels broke off and retreated into the deep jungles.

During a search of the area, police found the bodies of two rebels clad in uniform, of which one was identified as Jantana 'government' president R.P. Singh and the other as skilled arms-maker Sunnam Tati.

Officials also said a gun, gun-making implements, Maoist banners and literature and some items of daily use were also found from the site.